Published 7:55 am, Tuesday, July 29, 2014

STAMFORD — A 39-year-old city man was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting and impregnating his 12-year-old stepdaughter.

Leonel Bartolo Rodriguez has been charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.

Police say on July 17, the 12-year-old victim told her mother she was not feeling well and was experiencing cramps.

The victim’s mother took her to the doctor, who determined the girl was pregnant, police said.

The doctor notified the Department of Children and Families about the juvenile, who was reluctant to disclose any information about the pregnancy, police said.

On July 18, the victim, her mother and stepfather, Rodriguez, traveled to Queens, N.Y., to visit an aunt, police said.

Police said during the visit, the victim told her aunt that Rodriguez was responsible for impregnating her.

The aunt called the New York Police Department in Queens, who placed Rodriguez in custody, police said.

After being notified of the alleged sexual assault, the Stamford Police Department Special Investigations Unit immediately began an investigation with the assistance of the State Attorney’s Office, Child Guidance, Sexual Assault Crisis Team and DCF, police said.

Investigators requested the victim, her mother and aunt return to Stamford to be interviewed.

Several search warrants were applied for as well as numerous statements from the victims and witnesses, police said.

On July 19, an arrest warrant was applied and granted by the state.

Rodriguez was held in New York as a fugitive from justice until he waived his extradition, police said.

Police said on July 23, he waived his extradition and was transported to Stamford to be served a sexual assault warrant.

Rodriguez was held on $100,000 bond and arraigned in court on Monday.

He is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Aug. 4.

“We would like to recognize Sgt. Kenned, Officer Butler, Longo, Lynch and Maldonado for handling this sensitive case with the utmost professionalism and they never lost sight that they were dealing with a pregnant victim of a heinous sexual assault carried out by a stepfather,” said Stamford police in a press release Tuesday.

Police say they have seen an increase in sexual assaults against juveniles in the past year.

“We would like the community to know that the SPD vigorously investigates all types of sexual assaults perpetrated against child victims within this community. We work very closely with the States Attorney’s Office, Child Guidance, Sexual Assault Crisis Team and DCF to ensure that these cases are investigated and that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” police said.